Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 36
March 9, 2021
Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Breathe #mfrwauthor
To set the scene, against all orders, Talann swam across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. After successfully taking across a rope that served as the foundation to tow a barge back and forth. The women, children, and horses across, Talann is returning to the safe side of the river with his stallion, a mare and her very skittish colt. The makeshift barge capsizes and its precious contents are tossed into the raging waters. Talann's rescue is just the beginning.
Excerpt:
A moan escaped Glyn the sight of the unconscious man’s blue skin. “He’s not breathing.” All the years training by the various weaponsmasters surged forward. “Kynan, help me. We can help Talann breathe until Lexii sets the broken ribs.” She dropped to her knees. Deep breaths calmed her shaking hands enough to hold his head steady. "I’ll keep Tal from moving. Ky, you place the bones."
<Hurry,> Lexii sent. Fear darkened the dragshi’s tone.
Lexii is worried about more than the death of a friend, Glyn realized. One day, Talann is supposed to be her mate.
As soon as the twisted limbs were arranged to as close a position as normal, Kynan backed away. “Now, Lexii,” he yelled. “Use your healing fire.”
The golden head lowered to Glyn’s level. Air sucked down the dragon’s throat in a noisy gulp. A heartbeat later, Lexii released it as a stream of blue fire. Light encompassed both Glyn and Talann.
“Hang on, Talann,” Glyn whispered.
Silver voices rang in Glyn’s head. Is Talann going through first change? No, she corrected. It must be Lexii and the rest of the dragshi calling out to him. Binding his body and soul to each other with the force of their will—and love.
Again and again the flames played over Talann. Beneath Glyn’s hands, she felt the crushed bones meld together, returning to their prior strength and form. Without a command, Kynan knelt down and pressed on Talann’s chest. He repeated the action a second and a third time.
“Breathe, Talann,” Glyn cajoled.
<Live my son,> his parents sent.
Another fragment of training, this time from the healers rather than the ceoltiers, flickered into Glyn’s mind. Leaning over, with two fingers she pinched Talann’s nose closed, and mouth to mouth forced air into his lungs. Every third push of his chest, she gave her breath of life.
Soon nothing in the world existed except Kynan’s, “Now,” ordering more air for Talann. The specter of death lingered in the air. Talann’s skin remained pale, his body unresponsive.
Despair whether their efforts could bring Talann back to life chilled Glyn’s soul. She grabbed onto the last thread of the mental link between them and threw the full force of her will into one final command. <Talann, return to us> Again, the unbidden sentiment, Return to me, whispered into being only to be quashed. Talann is Lexii’s. He cannot be anything but a friend.
Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.
Ebook Available at: Amazon Kobo Walmart
One click to more ebook stores
Paperback: Amazon Barnes&Noble
SALE ... SALE...
* * * * NEWS FLASH * * * *
The Windmaster Novels are 50% off Smashwords, but not for long. Sale ends March 13th. It's a great time to get the entire #fantasy #romance series described as “A great read by an author with magic in her veins.”
Journey the high seas, and from mountain heights to cavern depths on an epic quest. But be warned, before a destiny is fulfilled, decisions must be made. Choose well.
March 7, 2021
2021 A-Z Theme Reveal
Thirty posts is a lot. This post is supposed to set the theme for the April AtoZ challenge. The posts will focus on the characters and settings of my fantasy romances and other genres, thoughts on the writing life, and a touch of something about me tossed in for variety.
A few thoughts on my approach. Since I did the AtoZ in April Challenge in 2019 and 2020, I didn't want to duplicate the previous year's posts. The world event called Covid-19 or the novel corona virus still permeates the world. It made focusing impossible, stole the energy to write, and chased the muse away. However, I'm going to give 2021 a shot.
Here is the master list of blogs joining me in singing the alphabet song.
~till next time, I'm off to start singing the alphabet song. Hope you'll join me April 1st for "A is for A+E=D." Helen
March 3, 2021
National Grammar Day - Write Well
Monday, March 4th is National Grammar Day. Now don’t panic, you don’t have to parse a sentence. But you can find the recipe for the Grammartini and can hear a blip of a song written for the occasion. Language is something to celebrate, and March 4 is the perfect day to do it. It's not only a date, it's an imperative: March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well, and help others do the same!
Stop by nationalgrammarday.com/for contests, the Grammartini, or to send an ecard to your favorite editor.
>Helen
National Grammar Day was established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG). The current host of National Grammar Day is Mignon Fogarty, the author of the New York Times best-selling book Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing and The Grammar Devotional.
March 2, 2021
Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Rescued? Or the River Wins. #mfrwauthor
To set the scene, against all orders, Talann swam across a flooded river to save women and children stranded on a hill. After successfully taking across a rope that served as the foundation to tow a barge back and forth. The women, children, and horses across, Talann is returning to the safe side of the river with his stallion, a mare and her very skittish colt. The makeshift barge capsizes and its precious contents are tossed into the raging waters.
Excerpt:
Fear chilling her soul, Glyn continued the breakneck race to catch up to Kynan whose stallion closed in on the floating man. “Talann is still too far from the shore,” Kynan shouted.
The reality of the situation burned in Glyn’s mind. Only Lexii could save Talann, and Beylnea the dragon soul twinned to Lexii, was newly fledged and not that strong.
A shadow passed overhead and the yellow dragon that was Lexii dove. With a scream, her claws wrapped around Talann’s waist. She strained to catch air beneath her wings. However Talann weighed her down and no matter how hard Lexii tried, his feet still dragged in the wild surf.
“You can do it,” Glyn encouraged.
Talann slipped from Lexii’s grasp. Yet again, she dove to grab him. This time, she only gained enough height to lift his head and shoulders above the wave’s surface. His body limp in her clutch told a tale Glyn refused to believe.
Side by side with Kynan, Glyn raced into the water. Neither spoke a word but acted in the perfect unison of a trained team to drag Talann to the shore. It appeared every bone in Talann’s body was broken.
A moan escaped Glyn the sight of the unconscious man’s blue skin. “He’s not breathing.”
Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.
Ebook Available at: Amazon Kobo Walmart
One click to more ebook stores
Paperback: Amazon Barnes&Noble
Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.
February 23, 2021
Imprisoned in Stone, Whose Magic is it? #mfrwhook
For the next several weeks, the posts will showcase magic of a darker kind from Imprisoned in Stone. A snippit using the book quote word WORK.To set the stage, Colwynn has freed a friend from a magical compulsion and now is trying to find who is behind the threat.
Excerpt:
A man of Jarlath’s wealth and seniority could not be accused without proof. Once again, Colwynn dug into his reserves of energy. His hands traced the ancient runes of truth in the air.
“Chains of iron forged in magic,” he hissed. “Show me the stealer of innocence and will.”
Despite the softness of the command, it contained an unyielding force. The mist of the broken control spell formed into a frame. A face appeared in the shimmering surface of the enchanted mirror. As Colwynn expected, Jarlath’s face was in the center. Then Nemor’s and several other men Colwynn knew were acolytes of the Brethren. Bearded or clean-shaved, some bald, others sporting long curls, image after image appeared until the frame bulged.
An unreasoning fury surged forward. All the Brethren participated. They all knew!
“Show me the man behind the plot,” Colwynn yelled. The hovering reflection wavered. When it stopped moving, one final face appeared. “Father,” Colwynn moaned. My father leads the Brethren. They would do nothing without his approval.
Imprisoned in Stone:
On sale in Kindle format at Amazon
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
February 18, 2021
Sweeter than candy #mfrwauthor
Welcome to the February topic of the MFRW 2021 challenge, "Sweet ways to say I love you." First off, I want to say I am not a haute coutre kind of gal. I'd rather get a practical gift than something I'd never wear or that would wilt in a week. I like diamonds and jewelry as well as the next person. However my lifestyle and arthritis prevents me from wearing rings and such as much as I used to.
Rather than spend $100 on roses for Valentine's Day, a $10 bouquet from our local grocer or florist fits my personality and lifestyle. Of course nothing says I can't spend some of the money saved on a new toaster oven.
Image by Nawal Escape from Pixabay Picking up a few things at the store when he stopped for his Sunday paper was sweet as the first of several winter storms and frigid temperatures prevented me leaving the house. Even sweeter were the bags of chocolate peanut clusters he surprised me with.
Image by Rebecca Humann from PixabayOffering to get pizza for dinner when I've gotten little or no sleep for several nights due to caregiving, says I love you. But perhaps the sweetest thing he's ever done was while to drive me to the waterfront to watch the demolition of a restaurant destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. I was recovering from oral surgery and its accompanying anesthesia. There was a good view of the activity for entertainment and the warm sun and light blanket encouraged rest. And when I wanted it, he'd take a short walk to the corner and bring back a milkshake.
Sweet isn't always mean chocolate or the scent of flowers, it can be a light touch or considerate gesture.
~till next time, stay safe and happy. Helen
Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
Prognostication and Prediction at the BWl Insider Blog
Today I'm guest posting on the BWL Insider blog about Prognostication and Prediction. Hope you'll stop by and see how predicting the future is of special interest in February.
~till next time, Helen
February 16, 2021
Imprisoned in Stone, One Spell Broken, But... #MFRWHook
To set the stage, Colwynn has an unexpected visitor at his quarters, yet another of the women selected by the Brethren as his potential mate. Only he discovers that she did not come of her own free will, but under a magical compulsion. The excerpt focuses on his continued attempts to protect her.
Excerpt:
Gathering the living ribbons of light, Colwynn wove them into a glittering crown that he slid over Aine’s blonde curls. After a moment’s respite, he started the protection against any future geas. Although he intended his words to ring out with strength, they sounded barely above a whisper.
“Fire of mountains, strength of iron,
Remove the geas from this innocent’s soul.
Crown of sprites, power of life,
Restore the free will that was stole.
Her destiny be hers to decide,
Not obstructed by man, magic, or tide.
So mote it be.”
His spell echoed with the hum of fluttering wings. After a moment’s respite, he cried out, “Sprites of the clouds, assist me.” Summoning power from deep in his being and merging it with that of the eldritch spirits, he created a stronger block than he had believed possible. The glow flowed over the sleeping woman until a golden light encased her entire body. Still, the sprites’ song rose in volume. At the crescendo, a flare from the bed blinded Colwynn.
Imprisoned in Stone:
*** On sale *** in Kindle format at Amazon
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
February 9, 2021
Imprisoned in Stone, Work, #MFRWHook
To set the stage, Colwynn has an unexpected visitor at his quarters, yet another of the women selected by the Brethren as his potential mate. Only he discovers that she did not come of her own free will, but under a magical compulsion.
Excerpt:
Colwynn dragged a chair to the side of the bed and lit a candle on the small side table. Using the flickering light as a focus, he sank into a deep trance and searched for the faint hint of residual power that would identify the source of Aine’s compulsion. A breath later, translucent chains, as black as the moonless sky, materialized around her throat.
Anger that Jarlath could use his daughter that way caused Colwynn’s spell to waver. The reality of the danger to both him and Aine broke his concentration and the visual shattered. He sat motionless for several long moments. In attempting to end the spell of another, a mage could become overwhelmed. Death, or at the least, the risk of loss of powers was the price. If he failed to break the geas, an even greater threat remained. Aine could remain imprisoned within her subservient roll forever.
Forcing his emotions behind a wall of ice, determination fueled his attempt to cut the bond controlling Aine. A flick of his wrist and the chains shattered into pieces. The motes floated throughout the room in a black haze. He searched Aine’s face for signs of pain or fear. All he saw was the peaceful sleep of an innocent mind.
Colwynn’s mind worked out the next move as if he played a game of castle and siege. He allowed his racing pulse to slow. Calm, deliberate calculations had to dominate his thoughts. Each incantation he called forth built on the one before. His voice grew louder as he fed more of his power into his words.
A glow of sea sprites replaced the last vestige of the setting sun. Hundreds of the tiny winged creatures flew around the room creating long streamers that swirled and danced in the air.
Imprisoned in Stone:
On sale in Kindle format at Amazon
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
